Land of Lawsuits

In many states it is required by law that people in the hospitality business attend responsible alcohol service classes. I just had the pleasure of sitting through the class again to be recertified and the class began to discuss “Dram Shop” laws. For those of you that don’t know, this law allows a third party to sue bartenders, servers, restaurant managers, bar managers, and bar and restaurant owners for damages caused by an intoxicated individual and allows those listed to be charged with criminal charges resulting in fines and jail terms. I never dreamed that I would have to carry a twenty million dollar blanket liability insurance policy and keep a lawyer on retainer just for doing my job. If heaven forbid, a guest left my restaurant after consuming a drink or two and was involved in an accident, I could go to jail. Never mind that I personally never even saw that guest in the restaurant much less served the alcohol to the guest or that the guest was possibly on some prescription medication, I am still liable. What’s wrong with this picture? The recent death of an intoxicated pro ball player killed when his vehicle crashed into the back of a tow truck was brought up. His family is suing the bartender, the bar owner, and a tow truck driver that was assisting a disabled motorist. Enough is enough. I think these people should counter sue. Sue the parents for being bad parents and failing to properly educate their child on the dangers of alcohol and driving, sue the liquor and beer manufacturers for making the stuff, sue the state for allowing alcohol sales, heck why we’re at it sue the federal government for repealing prohibition. Where does it end? This isn’t meant to be disrespectful to anyone that has lost a loved one due to a drunk driver but the American legal system has become a bad joke and personal responsibility void. I am a smoker and I think I am going to sue my parents for smoking when I was a child and not properly warning me of the dangers of tobacco, as it is one of the most addictive drugs ever discovered. I’m going to sue every store that ever sold me cigarettes while I was underage for feeding my addiction, every bar, restaurant and club that allowed me to smoke on their premises, the tobacco growers, cigarette producers, the state for allowing sales of tobacco, and the federal government for not making nicotine a controlled substance. I have also been considering suing those involved with caffeine production and distribution, any establishment that sells fried food contributing to my heart disease, auto manufacturers and drivers causing the pollution that is destroying my lung tissue The point and sad truth is that suing all those people listed is my right as an American and that a good lawyer will find 12 idiots to sit on a jury that agrees with me and will award me multimillion dollar damages award. God help us all, or shall we sue him next…..see you all in court


Mr. Restaurant